In reference to the AFP report 'MAS may lay off workers: minister' (Sept 23), the Malaysian government should emulate the United States by providing an emergency aid package to MAS, primarily to prevent its workers from being laid off.

A recent CNN [#2]report[/#] said:- "The measure provides US$5 billion in direct federal aid and US$10 billion in loan guarantees for an industry that has announced tens of thousands of layoffs since the terrorist hijacking.

"The measure also offers the industry federal help with rising insurance costs in the wake of the terrorist strikes, and limits airline liability in any federal lawsuits that could result from the deadly hijacking."

Some US senators, however, questioned the absence of assistance for the unemployed or uninsured.

Still, the Malaysian government should specifically target saving MAS employees' jobs and even put them on a three-day work week on full pay.

The bill signed by US President George W Bush prevents airlines giving salary increments for airline executives earning over US$300,000 (RM1.14 million) per annum for two years and it also limits "golden parachutes" given to retiring executives to twice their salary in the year 2000.

So, the Malaysian government should go even further by cutting the salaries of top MAS executives by half and they must not object since it is in the national interest to keep an essential industry running.

MAS should also sell off some of the planes it does not require.